WEBER Der Freischütz / Kleiber 4577362

Among a clutch of fine recordings . . . none has quite matched Carlos Kleiber's 1973 version, both for its cast and its brilliant realisation of Weber's wonderfully atmospheric orchestral textures. Ever suspicious of "tradition", Kleiber went back to the composer's manuscript and unearthed countless new details, such as the shimmering haze of muted violins in Agathe's invocation to the moonlit night, "Leise, leise". With the magnificent Dresden orchestra -- not least its baleful battery of horns -- on incandescent form, the infernal Wolf's Glen has a chilling cumulative intensity. Elsewhere Kleiber is equally attentive to the opera's rustic charm and its louring or glittering diablerie, with Theo Adam relishing the cruelty and gleeful cynicism of the evil Kaspar. The celestial-toned Gundula Janowitz suggests both the womanly tenderness and reserves of strength in the heroine Agathe. Edith Mathis is delightful, without coyness, as her flirtatious cousin Aennchen, while Peter Schreier brings a Lieder-singer's subtlety to his portrayal of the anguished Max.

Carlos Kleiber's Dresden recording caused quite a stir when it came out in 1973: rightly so, because it's performance of great vitality and subtlety. . . . When Kilian the peasant taunts Max the huntsman as a "M'sieu'", the mockery of the chorus, supported by spiky oboes, is exceptional vivid. . . . Kleiber is so good at bringing out the open strings of the stage band . . . Other orchestral delights include the clearly audible low flute and viola an Ännchen's second aria. And the singing is first-rate. Peter Schreier makes an unusually sympathetic Max, and Theo Adam a surprisingly heavyweight Kaspar. Gundula Janowitz brings a bell-like clarity to her arias, and Edith Mathis bubbles away as Ännchen. The duet, where Weber draws their characters so acutely, is charming. A noble Hermit from Franz Crass sets the seal on a riveting performance.